Cignetti Backs Josh Hoover, Calls Early Scrutiny ‘Unfair’

Curt Cignetti does not believe Josh Hoover deserves the level of criticism he has received through Indiana’s first three games.

The Hoosiers’ head coach defended his quarterback Monday following Indiana’s 38-0 win over Western Kentucky, saying a review of the game film showed Hoover missed only one throw.

“I think there is too much scrutiny on Josh Hoover right now,” Cignetti said. “Unfair scrutiny.”

Hoover, who has not thrown an interception this season, was critical of himself after Saturday’s win and identified several throws he believed he could have made. But Cignetti said the film showed a more complete picture, with protection and route running issues contributing to several of Indiana’s incompletions.

Cignetti pointed to a missed connection with Charlie Becker as an example. While Hoover’s throw fell incomplete, Cignetti said Indiana failed to pick up a blitz at running back, leaving the quarterback with pressure in his face.

“The one he missed to Becker, we did a bad job picking up the blitz at running back and he had a guy in his face,” Cignetti said.

Cignetti also mentioned an early overthrow toward Nick Marsh, but said another incompletion came on a play where Indiana’s receivers did not execute their routes well enough. Hoover worked through his progressions, but the target on the field side was not open because of his route, according to Cignetti.

“The one to the right, it was the third progression,” Cignetti said. “Didn’t run a good route to the field. Should have been open but wasn’t because of the route. Came back to No. 3, who didn’t run a great route either and the ball got overthrown.”

There was another deep ball to Marsh that Cignetti said may have been a matter of the quarterback’s read rather than simply an inaccurate throw. Indiana’s coaching staff had to go back through the play and make sure it was aligned on what should have happened.

“We had to kind of hash that one out as a staff to make sure we were on the same page what was going on,” Cignetti said.

Cignetti’s comments come as Indiana prepares for its matchup with Northwestern on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. The Wildcats enter the game with a plus four turnover margin and have forced five turnovers through their first two games, making ball security a major point of emphasis for the Hoosiers.

Indiana has put the ball on the ground four times this season, losing one fumble, and Cignetti said turnovers can quickly alter the course of a Big Ten game. He pointed to Charlie Becker’s role as a punt returner as an example of the value Indiana places on reliable ball security.

“Drop a punt and change the momentum of a Big Ten game,” Cignetti said. “That’s why.”

Cignetti said Indiana will need offensive balance, discipline and strong protection of the football against a Northwestern team he called “really good.” But even with conference play arriving, his confidence in Hoover has not changed.

“I’m glad he’s our quarterback,” Cignetti said.